Reddam House Umhlanga Grade 8 student Nobubelebesisa “Nobe” Zwane is preparing for the biggest opportunity of her young cricket career after being selected to make her international debut in the South Africa U19 Women’s squad for its maiden Youth T20 International (T20I) tour to Pakistan.
The exciting news comes shortly after Nobe’s selection for the South African U19 Women’s Cricket Training Camp at the CSA Centre of Excellence in Pretoria, where the country’s most promising young players are preparing for the ICC U19 Women’s World Cup in 2027.
Representing KZN Coastal, Nobe has earned her place in a national high-performance environment while still only in Grade 8, a remarkable achievement for a player competing alongside athletes several years older than herself. “I was very proud and pleased with myself because it showed me that this goal is quite possible for me to achieve if I dedicate myself to it,” she said.
Nobe’s cricket journey began in Grade 1 when she started playing for her school team. Her passion for the sport led her to join an academy in Grade 5, where she developed her skills alongside other young cricketers. At just 11 years old, she earned selection for the KZN U13 team and went on to captain the side in Grade 7.
She describes her first experience representing KZN Coastal as something she never imagined possible.
“Representing KZN Coastal for the first time was definitely something I never thought I could achieve, but now it’s one of the many things I enjoy doing during the year,” she said. “Meeting new people, skillful players and learning from them has made the game exciting for me.”
The move into higher levels of competition also required a significant shift in mindset. “Playing at provincial level was a big step for me to adapt mentally because I still had the mindset of a U13 player, but now I needed to have a South African U19 mindset,” she said. “It taught me to learn quickly and effectively and changed how I view the game at a more professional level.”
As she prepares for the upcoming tour, Nobe is focused on embracing every opportunity that comes her way. “I’m looking forward to learning a lot, making lots of memories and just enjoying it because that’s how I will do it better,” she said.
Balancing school and elite sport can be challenging, but Nobe says the structure provided by Reddam House Umhlanga’s boarding environment has helped her manage both successfully. “Being at boarding school and having a fixed schedule, while also having transport provided for me, really works around my cricket and schoolwork, which makes life so much easier.”
While the Pakistan tour represents an important milestone, Nobe’s ambitions stretch even further. She hopes to continue progressing towards selection for the ICC U19 Women’s World Cup in 2027. “Making the World Cup would mean the world to me because not only am I representing South Africa, but I’m also representing my family, my friends, my coaches and myself,” she said. “It would really show a huge and special difference about me.”
Despite her age, Nobe believes young people should never allow themselves to be defined by timelines or comparisons with others. “Age never stops you from succeeding in life and you shouldn’t try to bloom at the same pace as others,” she said. “When it’s my time, I’ll definitely shine brighter than any star out there. Have faith, have hope, remember the road is still ahead and work hard.”
“This is a significant milestone in Nobe’s cricket journey and a well-deserved reward for the hard work, discipline and commitment she brings to everything she does. She has embraced every opportunity available to her and continues to represent the values of Reddam House Umhlanga with distinction. Her achievement serves as a powerful reminder to our students that with ambition, perseverance and the right support, extraordinary opportunities can become a reality,” said Chad Moses, Executive Head of Reddam House Umhlanga.
Nobe’s selection is the latest chapter in a cricket journey that has taken her from school cricket in Grade 1 to provincial and national recognition in just a few years. As she prepares to step onto the international stage, she is already demonstrating that age is no barrier to pursuing big dreams.
